The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become

“Hunter Kang Hyunsoo! Is it true that you’re considering joining either Muyoung or Ilsum Guilds?”

Jin Seoyun's face betrayed more disappointment than anger.
Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Kang Hyunsoo responded.
“They made offers, but… I turned them down.”

“…What? You turned them down? Really?”
“Yes. On the spot.”
Jin Seoyun’s eyes widened in shock, her expression softening with relief.

Seeing her reaction, Hyunsoo chuckled lightly before continuing.
“Did you come here because you thought I might have joined another guild?”
“Of course! I’ve been offering you a place in Samcheon Guild for so long! I know joining a guild is your decision, but to leave without a word would’ve been too much…”

Her voice grew quieter toward the end, embarrassment creeping in as she realized she had misunderstood.
When Hyunsoo first became a sensation, Jin Seoyun had been stunned.
It started with a message from Han Sungbin, urging her to check the forums. What she found left her speechless:

Photos and videos of Kang Hyunsoo clearing the twin dungeons alone filled every post.
At first, she thought it was a case of mistaken identity or someone who merely resembled him. But after carefully reviewing the pictures and footage, she realized it was indeed the same Kang Hyunsoo she had seen not long ago—even if the camera didn’t quite do him justice.
She couldn’t believe it.

The hunter she remembered as a low-tier mercenary at the Daechi Dungeon had somehow grown strong enough to solo S-rank dungeons.
Even more shocking were the comments under the posts:
“Wow, the deputy guild master of Muyoung actually knelt? Who is this guy?”
“Clearing S-rank dungeons solo? No wonder the Ilsum Guild master got involved.”
“I heard he signed with Muyoung because of the bowing. Apparently, the contract includes billions in bonuses and mythic-grade items.”
“Billions? Life’s so unfair…”
“If you’re jealous, go solo an S-rank dungeon too.”
One particular comment—that Hyunsoo had joined Muyoung Guild—hit her like a ton of bricks.

Though it was baseless speculation, it felt real enough to make her heart sink.
For months, Jin Seoyun had persistently tried to recruit Hyunsoo into Samcheon Guild, sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly. Her sole reason? She wanted to spend more time with him.
Unshaken Determination
Despite her efforts, Hyunsoo always dodged the subject or outright declined, fueling Jin Seoyun’s resolve.

She wasn’t used to not getting what she wanted. If she desired something, no matter the cost, she obtained it. If money wasn’t enough, she simply tried harder.
But Kang Hyunsoo was different.
Even when they raided together or exchanged contact information, he remained unmoved. At times, it felt as if he wasn’t interested in her at all.

This only made her work harder, often seeking out dungeons he frequented to raid alongside him.
So when she mistakenly thought he had joined another guild, she’d immediately tracked down his location and rushed to confront him. Fortunately, it turned out to be a misunderstanding.
“Those offers were pretty generous, though,” Hyunsoo admitted casually. “Ten billion won in signing bonuses and mythic-grade gear.”

“What? Ten billion?” exclaimed Yuhana, her eyes wide.
“That’s incredible, hyung! Why turn it down?” added Han Sungbin.
Hyunsoo glanced toward the doorway, motioning them inside.
“Why don’t we discuss it in the living room?”

“Ah, yes!”
The Hunter’s Den
Jin Seoyun, Yuhana, and Han Sungbin followed Hyunsoo into his living room, a spacious and immaculate space befitting its purpose.

Yuhana, though aware of his residence through Choi Jiwoo, was still impressed upon seeing it firsthand. The apartment, provided by the Hunter Bureau, was clearly top-tier.
“Wow, this place is amazing!”
“Even among Bureau-provided housing, this is the best. You’ve really made it, hyung!”
Their admiration filled the room, but Jin Seoyun’s perspective differed.

“Is it really okay for you to stay here?” she asked. “If you want, I can arrange for something much bigger and more luxurious.”
To someone from a chaebol family, the apartment must have seemed modest for someone of Hyunsoo’s abilities.
Hyunsoo chuckled at her offer, shaking his head.

“No, I’m fine here. I don’t need a bigger house, and I don’t want the obligations that come with it. That’s the same reason I turned down the guild offers. If the Bureau had made conditions for me to live here, I wouldn’t have accepted it either.”
“Ah… I thought as much. You dislike being tied down, don’t you?”
“That’s right. There’s too much I need to do.”

“And those things are…?”
“I can’t go into detail, but one of them is entering the upcoming Swordsmanship Tournament. I won’t have time for guild activities.”
The Ultimate Swordsmanship Tournament

“Wait—the Swordsmanship Tournament?”
Han Sungbin’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Don’t tell me… you mean the Ultimate Swordsmanship Tournament, hyung?”

Hyunsoo nodded.
The Ultimate Swordsmanship Tournament was an international event hosted by the Hunter Association, showcasing hunters with exceptional sword skills. Set to take place in two weeks, it attracted the world’s top hunters and had strict participant limits—each guild could send no more than four members.
Joining a guild, therefore, would have limited Hyunsoo’s opportunities.

As realization dawned, the room fell silent.
And then…
“That… that’s…”

“……?”
"I’ll participate too!"
Jin Seoyun declared with determination burning in her eyes.

“If I can prove that joining a guild won’t interfere with your plans, wouldn’t that be enough? But on one condition—if I win the tournament, please prioritize Samcheon Guild when you decide to join a guild.”
“There’s no need to go that far….”
Jin Seoyun’s suggestion had been an attempt to spend more time with him, but Kang Hyunsoo found it awkward, to say the least.

And then—
“I’ll join too, hyung! I can’t just sit back when you’re competing!” declared Han Sungbin, raising his hand energetically.
“Then, can I join as well, Hyunsoo oppa?” asked Yuhana, just as eager.

Hyunsoo looked at the group with mild concern. While there was no issue with them entering, the tournament did have its own restrictions.
“You’re free to enter, but keep in mind that the competition strictly requires the use of swords. Yuhana, this might be difficult for you.”
“What? Seriously? Ugh… fine, I guess it can’t be helped.”

Though Yuhana’s enthusiasm was appreciated, the Swordsmanship Tournament was only open to hunters whose primary weapon was a sword. Anyone forcing themselves to use one would be quickly eliminated.
At that moment, Hyunsoo activated one of his unique abilities.
【Activated】
[Summoning your Charming Companion.]

‘What do you think? Should I bring them along?’
“Looks promising! Besides, your next swordsmanship quest requires a sparring partner, doesn’t it?”
Hyunsoo summoned Swallow, who remained invisible as they exchanged thoughts.
Although the tournament was a one-on-one duel, having companions to train with would undoubtedly be helpful. Swallow agreed with his reasoning.

However—
‘It would be ideal to have four people… should I ask Yuhana to use a sword temporarily?’
The upcoming training would be more effective with four participants instead of three.

Just as Hyunsoo stroked his chin, deep in thought, the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Another guest had arrived.

When Hyunsoo opened the door, he was met with a familiar face.
“Huh? Hunter Choi Jiwoo?”
“Ah, you’re here. I dropped by because of the photos and videos circulating online. The exposure has gotten too widespread to contain… Oh, I see you have company.”

Choi Jiwoo, having arrived unannounced, glanced past Hyunsoo to see his unexpected visitors.
Since the Babylon Incident, the Hunter Bureau had been diligently deleting articles and posts related to Hyunsoo. However, the twin dungeon event had gained such massive attention—uploaded by countless civilians—that containing it was impossible.
Choi Jiwoo had come to discuss the matter with Hyunsoo, only to find herself unexpectedly encountering Jin Seoyun, Yuhana, and Han Sungbin.

“Oh! Hi, Jiwoo unni!” Yuhana greeted cheerfully.
“So, you’re Hunter Choi Jiwoo,” Han Sungbin said with recognition.
“…What’s she doing here?” Jin Seoyun muttered under her breath.
Adjusting her glasses, Choi Jiwoo studied the group with a hint of caution.
She was aware of Hyunsoo’s connections to Samcheon Guild hunters and Yuhana, but she hadn’t expected them to be close enough to gather at his home.

Before Choi Jiwoo could fully assess the situation, Hyunsoo took the opportunity to speak up.
“By the way, Hunter Choi Jiwoo, are you planning to participate in the Ultimate Swordsmanship Tournament?”
If his memory of his past life served him correctly, Choi Jiwoo had competed in the tournament and reached the round of 16.

Her response confirmed it.
“What? Ah, yes… I am. But how did you know that?”
“Just a hunch. Perfect timing, then. Would you like to train with me?”

With this unexpected encounter, Hyunsoo had found yet another sparring partner for his preparation.
***
Bang-!!

“Kang Hyunsoo… that bastard! What a disgrace!”
Inside the executive office of the Muyoung Guild, Gwak Dowon slammed his fist on the desk, glaring at the image on the wall-mounted screen.
Since the events at the Yeouido Hunting Ground, Gwak Dowon’s reputation had taken a nosedive.

The photo of him kneeling before Kang Hyunsoo had spread worldwide, making him a laughingstock overnight.
Although sacrificing his pride to recruit someone was commendable within the guild—earning him praise internally—the public saw it differently.
Rather than appreciating the gesture, people mocked the awkwardness of the pose, turning him into a subject of ridicule.

Memes and edited images of him bowing to Kang Hyunsoo were everywhere.
As the saying goes, there’s a fine line between love and hate.
Gwak Dowon’s feelings toward Kang Hyunsoo turned to pure hatred.

Had Hyunsoo joined Muyoung Guild, he might have let it go. But with the rejection and the added humiliation of becoming a meme, his anger boiled over, unjustly blaming Hyunsoo for everything.
As he continued to curse, a knock interrupted him.
Knock, knock, knock.

“Deputy Guild Master, we’ve tracked down Kang Hyunsoo.”
A subordinate hunter stepped into the room.
“What? Where is he now?”

“He’s been training at a facility in Seoul for over three days. Notable hunters like Jin Seoyun and Choi Jiwoo are also with him. Word has it he’s preparing for the Ultimate Swordsmanship Tournament.”
“The Ultimate Swordsmanship Tournament? That guy’s entering? Ridiculous. Does he really think he, an unknown hunter, can compete with the world’s top swordsmen?”
Gwak Dowon scoffed.

The tournament was no joke. It attracted heavyweights like the famed American hunter Kyle Dusk, among other elite participants, intimidating enough to make many skilled hunters withdraw.
With no prizes beyond the Swordsmanship Manual for the winner, the tournament held little appeal for those who couldn’t secure victory.
Even Gwak Dowon, a seasoned swordsman, had never seriously considered entering.

And yet, a mid-tier hunter like Kang Hyunsoo dared to sign up?
His subordinate chuckled incredulously, offering his own theory.
“Maybe he’s just trying to make a name for himself, like some other hunters. Perhaps he wants to gain experience by fighting stronger opponents.”

“How arrogant. A rookie with no real one-on-one combat experience, already full of himself. Can I still register for the tournament?”
“Registration is open online until two days before the event.”
“Then I’ll sign up immediately. Kang Hyunsoo…”

Staring at the image of Hyunsoo on the screen, Gwak Dowon growled through clenched teeth.
“I’ll make sure you kneel before me.”